WHAT KINDS OF DEGREES ARE AVAILABLE IN COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY?

Computers and technology are integrated into almost every part of society, and are used in most products and industries. For these reasons, the degrees available in these fields cover a broad range of subjects and specialties.

Whether you are interested in information security or electrical engineering, a degree in Computers and Technology might be just the thing you need to get you started in a successful career.

Get a survey of the field from our Computers and Technology homepage.

Associate Degrees in Computers and Technology

With an associate degree in Computers and Technology, you’ll get an education that prepares you for entry-level jobs in the field, and you could earn your degree in two years or less.

These programs are typically offered at community colleges and technical schools. If you are already working and need a class schedule that won’t conflict with your job, you might find an online or evening associate degree program that will offer a flexible schedule.

Depending on the focus of their degree, graduates of Computers and Technology associate degree programs could be eligible to work as web developers or computer support technicians. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salaries for these roles were around $65,000 and $55,000 per year, respectively.

Bachelor’s Degrees in Computers and Technology

A bachelor’s degree in Computers and Technology prepares graduates for a wide variety of highly compensated potential job titles. These four- to five-year programs can be found at residential colleges or universities, as well as in online formats.

In most Computers and Technology bachelor’s degree programs, you’ll have the opportunity to choose an area of concentration. For example, you could choose a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer information systems, computer science, or information technology. A few of the job titles and median salaries you could hold with these degrees include:

• Computer Programmers: $79,840
• Database Administrators: $84,950
• Information Security Analysts: $92,600
• Software Developers: $102,280

Master’s Degrees in Computers and Technology

With a master’s degree in Computers and Technology, you’ll be prepared to conduct research or move into leadership roles in your field.

Most students who enter master’s degree programs have already completed their bachelor’s degree in a related field, and will spend 2 to 3 years in their graduate program.

Because Computers and Technology intersect with so many different fields and industries, there are a number of different types of master’s degree options. A few examples of degrees and concentrations you could choose include:

• Master of Arts/Master of Science in Computer Information Systems or Information Technology
• Master of Business Administration in Computer Science & Engineering or Information Security Management
• Master of Computer Applications in Applications Development or Information Technology
• Master of Computer Science in Electrical Engineering or Software Engineering

Whichever degree program you choose, you’ll likely be able to increase your earning potential. Workers who hold master’s degrees in computer science, for example, earn a median salary of about $111,000.

Doctoral Degrees in Computers and Technology

If you want to build an academic career in Computers and Technology, teaching at the college level, conducting research and publishing your findings, a PhD in Computer Science or a related field could be a great career choice for you.

Curious about what you might study in a PhD program? A few of the specialized PhD options in Computers and Technology include:

• PhD in Algorithms, Combinatorics and Optimization
• PhD in Human-Computer Interaction
• PhD in Computational Biology
• PhD in Language and Information Technologies
• PhD in Machine Learning
• PhD In Robotics

Many students enter PhD programs after completing a master’s degree, but some schools will admit students with just a bachelor’s degree. Depending on how much education you have when you enter the program, these degrees typically take 5 to 7 years to complete. They often involve teaching duties, as well as writing and defending a dissertation.